Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn

Septicemia is an infection in the bloodstream that may travel to different body organs. GBS septicemia is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae, which is commonly called group B strep or GBS.

GBS is commonly found in adults and older children, and usually does not cause infection. But it can make newborn babies very sick. There are two ways in which GBS can be passed to a newborn baby:

The baby can become infected as it passes through the birth canal. In this case, babies become ill between birth and 6 days of life (most often in the first 24 hours). This is called early-onset GBS disease.

The infant may also become infected after delivery by coming into contact with people who carry the GBS germ. In this case symptoms appear later, when the baby is 7 days to 3 months or more old. This is called late-onset GBS disease.

GBS septicemia now occurs less often, because there are methods to screen and treat pregnant women at risk.

The following increase an infant's risk for GBS septicemia:

Being born more than 3 weeks before the due date (prematurity), especially if the mother goes into labor early (preterm labor)

Mother who has already given birth to a baby with GBS sepsis

Mother who has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during labor

Mother who has group B streptococcus in her gastrointestinal, reproductive, or urinary tract

Rupture of membranes (water breaks) more than 18 hours before the baby is delivered

To help reduce the risk of GBS, pregnant women should get tested for the bacteria at 35 to 37 weeks into their pregnancy. If the bacteria are detected, women are given antibiotics through a vein during labor. If the mother goes into premature labor before 37 weeks and GBS test results are unavailable, she should be treated with antibiotics.

Newborns who are at high risk are tested for GBS infection. They may receive antibiotics through a vein during the first 30 to 48 hours of life until test results are available. They should not be sent home from the hospital before 48 hours of age.

In all cases, proper hand washing by nursery caretakers, visitors, and parents can help prevent the spread of the bacteria after the infant is born.